News & Events

2018.12.10ACRA Airport Closure Notice starting January 2, 2019

Ak-Chin Regional Airport (A39) has a construction project coming up to repair pavement cracks in the runway, taxiways and apron starting January 2, 2019, Monday through Friday and lasting a month. The runway will be open on Saturday and Sunday. Check NOTAMs for the most accurate info on the airport closure.

We regret the inconvenience but the added smoothness will be worth it. This project is funded by the Ak-Chin Indian Community. Download a printable copy of this closure notice: [PDF]

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2018.4.16Phoenix 99s Land Another Great Event at Ak-Chin

On March 17th, the Phoenix Chapter of the 99s were back at Ak-Chin Regional Airport for their Annual Spot Landing Contest. Twenty pilots participated in the skills event before winners were announced. Lauren Bills won first place, Courtney Smith was second, and Grant Groathouse was third. Tessie Quintana received the “more practice indicated” award.

The Ninety-Nines is an international non-profit organization that was formed to promote the advancement of women in aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while sharing a passion for flight. Founded in 1929, the organization was named The Ninety-Nines for its 99 charter members by its first president, Amelia Earhart. Today there are 188 chapters in 35 countries. To find out more about The Ninety-Nines, visit www.phx99s.org or www.ninety-nines.org.

Our thanks to Ak-Chin Regional Airport neighbors Andy and Virginia Estes and Kevin Gallagher of Desert Rat Aviation for their help with this event.(Photos courtesy of Nancy Crase.)

The number of pilots participating in the Phoenix 99s annual Spot Landing Contest at Ak-Chin Regional Airport has grown each year.

MARICOPA, Ariz. (March 7, 2018) The Phoenix Chapter of The Ninety-Nines is holding their annual fly-in and spot landing contest on Saturday, March 17 at the Ak-Chin Regional Airport. The event will begin with a pilot briefing at 8 am and at 9 am, the pilots will take to their planes for the contest. The public is welcome to attend to watch the spot landing contest.

The Ninety-Nines is an international non-profit organization that was formed to promote the advancement of women in aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while sharing a passion for flight. Founded in 1929, the organization was named The Ninety-Nines for its 99 charter members by its first president, Amelia Earhart. Today there are 188 chapters in 35 countries. To find out more about The Ninety-Nines, visit www.phx99s.org or www.ninety-nines.org.

Airport business neighbors, Desert Aero Club will serve as the judges. According to Airport Manager, Tim Costello, judging is a difficult task. “The planes are moving really fast, so it’s a challenge to determine the exact spot the main gear touches the runway and stays down.”

Awards will be presented to the winning pilots at the conclusion of the contest. Come support “the women who love to fly!” It’s going to be fun!

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2017.1.18Airport Posts New Powered Paraglider Operating Rules

Ak-Chin Regional Airport has posted new rules for powered paraglider (PPG) and other powered ultralights for noise abatement over residential areas and to avoid conflicts with general aviation traffic using the airport.

To see the rules and pattern established for PPGs, you can view the exhibit on this website under Pilot Information>Regulatory Docs. Or click here.

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2016.10.24Ercoupe Enthusiasts Fly In for Fun at Ak-Chin Regional Airport
The Arizona Coupe Group and Ercoupe Owners Club, the national organization of Ercoupe owners, held a fly-in at the Ak-Chin Regional Airport on October 21-23. Planned with the help of Desert Rat Aviation/Desert Aero Club, this event hosted 26 members with a total of 11 Ercoupes attended the 3-day event. The Ercoupe is a type of light aircraft first built in the 40s with production through the 70s. Of the 11 aircraft in attendance at the fly-in, nine were manufactured in 1946 and 1947, one was manufactured in 1959 and the newest one was from 1966. Desert Rat Aviation/Desert Aero Club, who does vintage restoration and provides flight training, has two Ercoupes for training purposes.

Awards were given for Best Coupe, People’s Choice and Furthest Distance Traveled. The Best Coupe went to N94656, owned by Chuck Stevens, and based in Casa Grande, AZ (shown with this post). The People’s Choice went to N411F, owned by Jim Burdge, who also is based in Casa Grande, AZ. The Furthest Distance Traveled went to N99601, owned by Chuck Rosenfeld, who flew in from Sun River, Oregon. His flight plan showed a 912 mile trip, which was accomplished in 2 days.

According to Airport Manager, Tim Costello, the Coupe Group love the airport as a great place to hang out and talk about various aircraft. If you want to host an event for your aircraft club, contact Tim Costello at 520-568-1683.

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2016.05.04Ak-Chin Regional Airport Powers Up New AWOS System

The Ak-Chin Regional Airport has installed an AWOS 3P (automated weather observing system) which is only the third of its kind in the country. The AWOS is now broadcasting live weather data on 126.900 MHz. It can also be contacted by phone at 520-568-7704.

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2016.02.12Construction Project Almost Complete

In January 2016, construction started at the Ak-Chin Regional Airport (A39) to install pilot-controlled, runway edge lighting. The underground portion of the work is complete. The remaining work is standing up the lights at the runway edge and making the electrical connections. This may require a one-day closure to finish the work. Check NOTAMs for A39 for the most accurate info regarding the possible airport closure.

The project will also install an AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System) and some apron lighting. The project is funded by the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

Thank you for your continued cooperation while we make this improvement. Please watch for men and equipment on the airport for an additional 45 days.

Ak-Chin Regional Airport is starting a construction project that will install runway edge lighting. Since this work is at the edge of the runway, for the length of the runway, the airport will be closedMonday through Thursday starting January 5, 2016. The runway will be open for normal use on Friday morning at 7:00AM local time and remain open on Saturday and Sunday. The closure duration is estimated to be six weeks. Check NOTAMs for the most accurate info on the airport closure.

We regret the inconvenience but we think the added utility and safety the improvements create will be worth it. The project will also install an AWOS (automated weather station) and some apron lighting. This project is funded by the Ak-Chin Indian Community. Download a printable copy of this closure notice: [PDF]

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2015.12.17ACRA Runway Closure Notice for January 5, 2016

Ak-Chin Regional Airport is starting a construction project that will install runway edge lighting. Since this work is at the edge of the runway for the length of the runway, the runway will be closed during the work week starting January 5, 2016. The runway will be open for normal use on the weekend days. The closure duration is estimated to be six weeks. Check NOTAMs for the latest on the runway closure.

We regret the inconvenience but we think the added utility and safety the improvements create will be worth it. The project will also install an AWOS (automated weather station) and some apron lighting. This project is funded by the Ak-Chin Indian Community. Download a printable copy of this closure notice: [PDF]

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2015.04.19 The Phx 99s Land Spot-on at ACRA

The Phoenix Chapter of the Ninety Nines held a fly-in and spot landing contest on April 18 at Ak-Chin Regional Airport.

MARICOPA, Ariz. (April 17, 2015) The Phoenix Chapter of The Ninety-Nines are holding a fly-in and spot landing contest tomorrow at the Ak-Chin Regional Airport. Twelve women pilots from the Phoenix Chapter have signed up to participate in Saturday’s events, which will start at 8 am with a pilot briefing. At 9 am, the pilots will take to their planes for a spot landing contest, which will continue for about 4 hours. Also, Ak-Chin Community Members will be on hand in the morning, selling handmade breakfast burritos (YUM!!) The public is welcome to watch the spot landing contest, but space is limited.

At 4 pm, there will be an awards potluck dinner for the pilots, which will be followed by seminars at 6 pm. One of the seminar’s presenters, Andy Estes of Desert Rat Aviation, will also be holding a pre-flight contest at this time.
The Ninety-Nines is an international non-profit organization that was formed to promote the advancement of women in aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while sharing a passion for flight. Founded in 1929, the organization was named The Ninety-Nines for its 99 charter members by its first president, Amelia Earhart. Today there are 188 chapters in 35 countries. To find out more about The Ninety-Nines, visit www.phx99s.org or www.ninety-nines.org.

Our thanks to ACRA business neighbors Andy and Tina Estes and Kevin Gallagher of Desert Rat Aviation for their help with this event. It’s going to be fun!

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2014.06.23How to Get a Lift Out of Ak-Chin Regional Airport
MARICOPA, Ariz. (June 23, 2014) Flying into Ak-Chin Regional Airport and want a ride to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort? Call (480) 802-5000 in advance to inquire about courtesy transportation from the Airport to the Casino.

MARICOPA, Ariz. (April 22, 2014) There have been some exciting happenings at the Ak-Chin Regional Airport (ACRA) this month. On the first weekend of the month, 30-year-old Dave McKee took off from ACRA on a mission to complete his first solo cross-country flight. The first leg of the 2-1/2 hour flight plan was to Ryan Field in Tucson. From Tucson, he guided his plane to Gila Bend Municipal Airport, and then touched down safely back at ACRA.Dave McKee, 30, of north Phoenix, relaxes after finishing his first solo cross-country flight

McKee, who is a north Phoenix resident and manages the production shop for Cool Clubs, a golf club fitting company, comes from a family with an aviation background and just followed his family’s passion for flying. He started flying about two years ago, but more consistently over the past year under the guidance of instructor, Mark Culbertson, of Desert Aero Club, a flight training club located in the business park adjacent to the airport. The Airport congratulates Dave and Desert Aero Club in reaching this new height in his aviation career!